No truck comes under fire like the Tesla Cybertruck and we mean that literally. Since deliveries began late in 2023, owners have kicked it, shot at it, hammered it, and even broken it. That said, the lead engineer is hoping that owners and fans alike will stop torturing the truck so that it can live a normal life. He also indicated that those who don’t might have a long time to wait til they get replacement parts.
Carscoops has covered several instances of individuals testing Cybertruck durability. One YouTuber shot holes through it, another person sat on the windshield and broke it, reviewers have hit it with various objects, and the list goes on and on. Understandably, that’s caused certain feelings for the lead engineer of the Cybertruck, Wes Morrill.
“Cybertruck has lived a tortured life for entertainment – Jumped on, kicked, burned, beaten, and shot (multiple times). To quote the black knight, it’s just a flesh wound, I’m invincible! Now we’ve confirmed is tough, maybe Cybertruck can roam freely on and off-road in peace?” Morrill said in a post to X.
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It’s unclear where, if anywhere, this plea will go. Hardcore Tesla fans might indeed be swayed by Morrill but the request could prove to initiate a sort of Streisand Effect leading to even more abuse. No doubt, its limited availability likely means others have already been planning their own “torture” videos and are only awaiting access. Interestingly, Morrill did hint that those who damage their Cybertruck might want to think twice about it.
When asked how Tesla was dealing with a production ramp-up while simultaneously supplying replacement door assemblies this was his response: “What replacement doors – these creators want to live with the badge of honor, right?… right!?”
Surely, Tesla knows that it’ll have to supply owners with replacement components but is it above being selective about how it does so? How would it handle the situation if it had clear evidence, on a YouTube video perhaps, that the vehicle was intentionally damaged?
It’s a bit early in the Cybertruck’s life to know much about widespread repair policies, procedures, and timelines but that statement wouldn’t give me much confidence in being able to quickly procure a new body panel.
what replacement doors – these creators want to live with the badge of honor, right? … right!?
— Wes (@wmorrill3) March 14, 2024